Feds answer judge's motion in bribery case

JACKSON – Federal prosecutors say a Hinds County judge should be tried on charges that he agreed to a bribe offered by multimillionaire attorney Dickie Scruggs.

U.S. Attorney Jim Greenlee filed a response Friday to a claim that he cannot prove that Judge Bobby DeLaughter was part of a bribery conspiracy because he is not accused of taking anything of value from Scruggs.

The response says prosecutors only have to prove that the judge broke state law. They say DeLaughter should face a jury on the charges of mail fraud, obstruction of justice and conspiracy.

Prosecutors say that the judge ruled for Scruggs in a lawsuit after the attorney said he could arrange for him to get a seat on the federal bench. Scruggs has pleaded guilty.